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Mistake could have impact on Zimmerman's trial

George Zimmerman's legal team has faced several setbacks in court, and his attorney tells WESH 2 his client made one big mistake that could have a big impact on his trial.

After his arrest on second-degree murder charges, Zimmerman enjoyed a six-figure defense fund, a good case for self-defense and an attorney so confident he allowed Zimmerman to apologize to Trayvon Martin's family in court.

"They are headed full-force in the exact right direction. Then all of the sudden, all of the sudden, they're derailed," said legal analyst Jeff Deen.

In sworn telephone testimony during her husband's bond hearing, Shellie Zimmerman said she and her husband were too broke to make bail.

"We have discussed trying to pull members of the family together to make the numbers to scrape up anything we possibly can," said Shellie Zimmerman.

After Zimmerman's release on a low bond of $150,000, prosecutors listened to his recorded jail calls and found calls between husband and wife discussing their finances.

"So, total everything, how much are we looking at?" asked George Zimmerman.

"Um, like $155," said Shellie Zimmerman.

Judge Ken Lester sided with prosecutors who said George Zimmerman allowed his wife to lie in court. She was charged with perjury and he was rearrested.

To get out, George Zimmerman had to post a much higher bond and was ordered not to leave Seminole County, meaning much higher security costs.

"It absolutely drains his defense fund," said Deen.

Deen also said Zimmerman lost credibility with a judge who would have been ideal to consider his self-defense claim.

"It put his lawyers on the defensive when they never needed to be," said Deen. "This is absolutely devastating to them."

Attorney Mark O'Mara agrees that Zimmerman not speaking up about his six-figure defense fund has been the biggest mistake.

"You're right. It's true. I mean, that one decision or that silence has really had a lot of fallout," said O'Mara.

O'Mara said they spent 200 hours removing Judge Kenneth Lester who they felt could no longer give Zimmerman a fair trial.

Judge Debra Nelson's unfavorable rulings ever since have left the defense wondering what could have been.

Images: Many looks of George Zimmerman

George Zimmerman's defense released hundreds of photos they'll use as evidence in his trial. Many of them had already been released, though some new photos were made public, including this photo of Zimmerman at a Seminole State College graduation ceremony.

George Zimmerman's second mug shot.

George Zimmerman's second bond hearing in June 2012.

Zimmerman attends a court hearing in October 2012.

A hearing is held December 11, 2012.

Zimmerman enters court in February 2013.

George Zimmerman appears in court for a hearing to discuss "Stand Your Ground" on April 30, 2013.

George Zimmerman chats with Brandy Dixon an assistant from his defense team, during his trial in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., Tuesday, July 9, 2013. Zimmerman is charged with 2nd-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed teen, in 2012. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/POOL)

George Zimmerman, left, and Defense attorney Mark O'Mara chat during an early morning recess in Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Zimmerman is charged with 2nd-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed teen, in 2012. (Jacob LangstonOrlando Sentinel/POOL)

Defendant George Zimmerman responds to questions from Judge Debra Nelson as she questions him about the jury selection process, in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla., Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Zimmerman is accused in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

George Zimmerman answers the judge as his attorney Mark O'Mara , left, and jury consultant Robert Hirschhorn look on in Seminole circuit court on the 4th day of George Zimmerman's trial, in Sanford, Fla., Thursday, June 13, 2013. Zimmerman is accused in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel/POOL) in Seminole circuit court on the 4th day of George Zimmerman's trial, in Sanford, Fla., Thursday, June 13, 2013. Zimmerman is accused in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel/POOL)

George Zimmerman, center, smiles along with co-counsel Don West, left, and jury consultant Robert Hirschhorn, right, during jury selection in Seminole circuit court on the 4th day of George Zimmerman's trial, in Sanford, Fla., Thursday, June 13, 2013. Zimmerman is accused in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel/POOL)

George Zimmerman pours a glass of water, in Seminole circuit court on the 7th day of his trial, in Sanford, Fla., Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Zimmerman is accused in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

George Zimmerman listens to jury consultant Robert Hirschhorn in Seminole circuit court on the eighth day of his trial, in Sanford, Fla., Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Zimmerman is accused in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

George Zimmerman talks to his defense team during his trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla. Thursday, June 27, 2013. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder for the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)

George Zimmerman's mug shot for his domestic violence arrest on Nov. 18.

George Zimmerman after his arrest on a charge of aggravated assault with a weapon on Jan. 9, 2015.

George Zimmerman in the back of a police cruise on the night of his arrest on Jan. 9.

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